Cockrage moor

There are so many places that I really enjoy visiting but one of my favourites at this time of year has to be Cockrage moor and the walk up to it. This morning I had an unexpected opportunity to have a wee daunder up there. I left the house just after 7 and walked down Riverside, across the bridge and started walking up the river on the Blairgowrie side. First thing I saw was a pair of dippers, the one below just sat happily on the rock whilst he other was very busy pinging about in the river

Dipper

Next thing was this lovely Chaffinch singing its soul out

Chaffinch

So I continued up Oakbank rd hoping for a sighting of the Red Squirrels, sure enough they were there….

Red Squirrel

a pair of them zipping about the canopy, lovely to see especially only 5 mins from my front door. I heard a jay roaring it’s head of behind me hoping to see him but instead there was a wee Roe grazing in the paddock

Roe

but I also spotted the jay, not a great pic but pleased to see him all the same

Jay

Not far from where I was, there is an old dry-stane dyke, and in one of the wee nooks is a Coal Tit building a nest, lovely wee bird………

Coal Tit

…..and just beyond that there is a Greater Spotted Woodpecker nest and sure enough on a tree at the back was said woody drumming out his serenade on a make shift tom-tom 😉

Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Continuing up the riverside I caught a glimpse of a Grey Wagtail sitting on a rock. He looked as if he was in stealth mode

Grey Wagtail

On the river at present there are quite a few Goosanders, generally a male and 3 females.

Goosander (m)

Goosander (f)

On I walked and only got as far as the Lornty burn where I spotted another pair of Squirrels. In fact, the dog spotted them first and duly chased them up the tree. To say he got a roasting is an understatement!!! Anyway, not a great picture but always a great sighting

Red Squirrel

The area beyond the Lornty burn is usually a good bit to see hares but not so lucky today, did spot these though

A flock of Redwing

and one sitting bonny in the tree for me

Redwing

Within the flock there were also a fair amount of thrushes and I think a couple of Fieldfare but to be honest I couldn’t be sure. I actually thought the Redwing and Fieldfare disappeared from these shores around March but I’m obviously mistaken.

Thrush

So onwards I went with a skip in my step……the moor beckoned. The musical cacophony supplied by the Yellowhammers, Chiffchaffs, Robins, Wrens and Pippits would gladden the coldest heart. The new-born lambs added to the moment, spring has definitely arrived.

Yellowhammer

Chiffchaff

Wren

Wren

Robin

As I approached the moor the amount of Meadow Pippits increased and I was delighted to see some Wheatears as well. Struggle as I did to get a picture of the male, I ultimately failed though I did get a few pictures of the female, beautiful bird

Wheatear (f)

Meadow Pippit

Meadow Pippit

Meadow Pippit

These birds are the general meal for the Hen Harrier and Short Eared Owl. I’ve seen both on the moor but never managed any decent photo’s. Now, as we were walking we flushed this raptor, not sure what it was, probably a buzzard but in my heart I hope it was the Hen Harrier but it doesn’t really look like one. Rubbish pic that makes ID difficult

Buzzards were around lower down the moor but this one didn’t rise particular high once we flushed it.

Buzzard

Buzzard

We decided to have a coffee, well I had a coffee and the pup had a few dog biscuits then we decided to head back. I was a wee bit disappointed that we hadn’t seen the resident herd of Fallows, but hopefully another day. On our way back we spotted a few grouse

Red Grouse

and a hare in the same place that I’d seen one on Monday

Brown Hare

I’ve used that pic as I wasn’t quick enough with the camera lol. So as we continued back we spotted this handsome Shetland just north of Drumlochy

Shetland Pony

An Aberdeen-Angus stirk

Aberdeen Angus

more Yellowhammers

Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer

As we rounded Drumlochy castle, we spotted “Glasclune Maggie”!!!! I’ve been trying to get a picture of this devil for a wee bit now and I’m glad to say that I eventually got him.

Glasclune Maggie

At Drumlochy itself, they keep Guinea Fowl, noisy beggars to say the least………………

Guinea Fowl

As we came down the wee glen, I was delighted to see a Goldcrest

Goldcrest

a Dunnock…….

Dunnock

a Doo……

A cooshy Doo

and a flock (5 or 6) Bullfinches

Bullfinch

As we neared the Lornty bridge the roaring from 5+ jays was something else. I only managed these rubbish pics unfortunately

Jay in flight

Jay hiding

So, after 5 hours walking and approx. 12 miles covered I reached the river again and there were the Goosanders to greet me back.

Perthshire is a wonderous place full of amazing wildlife and incredible scenery, read about all my wanderings around Big Tree county and I hope I inspire you to follow some of my walks and hopefully you will share the same sights that I have encountered :-)